OSU-Oklahoma City awarded $1.5 million grant for wind turbine program

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., February 3, 2009) – Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City’s pioneering wind turbine program received a huge boost last month from a grant of nearly $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The grant of $1,480,708 is part of the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants.  OSU-OKC was among 274 applicants competing for this grant and was the only college awarded in the state of Oklahoma.

“This wonderful grant will build our new Wind Turbine Technology program, providing funds to hire faculty and purchase equipment to meet our enrollment demands,” said Dr. Jerry Carroll, OSU-OKC president.

The President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants were introduced by President Bush in 2004 to provide colleges the capacity to give their regions’ workers the skills needed to enter high-growth/high-demand industries.  Through these grants, more than 34,000 individuals have completed their education and training.

OSU-OKC’s Wind Turbine Technology degree program has exceeded enrollment expectations with 50 students enrolled in the first semester. This initial class of students will graduate with an associate in applied science degree in 2011.

For more information on the first Wind Turbine Technology degree program in the state of Oklahoma visit www.osuokc.edu/wind .